Rethinking Columbus

“Why rethink Christopher Columbus? Because the Columbus myth is basic to children’s beliefs about society. For many youngsters the tale of Columbus introduces them to a history of this country, even to history itself. The ‘discovery of America’ is children’s first curricular exposure to the encounter between two races. As such, a study of Columbus is really a study about us—how we think about each other, our country, and our relations with people around the world.” Everyone seems to believe Columbus discovered America but how could that be possible if there were already people inhabiting America. Historians so seldom give homage to the Native American Indians who have seemed to be neglected to fully be represented in history books and history lessons. I believe that The United States educational system tends to polish "history" as to fit their own standards and views. These views usually cater to a the domination of the "white man." "Rethinking Columbus offers teaching strategies and readings that teachers can use to help students consider perspectives that are too often silenced in the traditional curriculum. For example, in 30 years of teaching, virtually all my high school students had heard of the fellow who is said to have discovered America: Christopher Columbus. However, none had heard of the people who discovered Columbus: the Taínos of the Caribbean. That fact underscores the importance of teachers having the resources to offer a fuller history to their students. Further, it points out the importance of developing teaching materials that ask students to interrogate the official curriculum about what (and who) it remembers and what (and who) it ignores—and why?" I believe that "Rethinkin Columbus" is something that American history needs to seriously consider including in history books because if not, then America's future will be ill-informed about their own foundation. A house built on concrete is much more functional than one built on sand.

Works Cited
Bigelow, Bill. "Rethinking Columbus Banned in Tucson « Rethinking Schools Blog." Rethinking Schools Blog. Web. 22 Jan. 2012. .